Tunde Kelani

Tunde Kelani is undoubtedly a leader in the Nigerian motion picture industry. An accomplished cinematographer, producer and director, Kelani has through his films that are mostly done in Yoruba language provided a window into the richness that is the Yoruba culture of South West Nigeria. He has also been at the forefront of the production of cultural films using contemporary themes to paint on the canvas of indigenous myths and traditions.

Born in Lagos and raised in Abeokuta, T K as he is fondly called has played a central and pivotal role in Nigerian cinema. He has contributed to most of the feature films that have been made in Nigeria on celluloid in his capacity as a Cinematographer since the 70’s and has equally led Mainframe Film and Television Productions to document Nigeria’s rich culture on the digital format. TK became an apprentice photographer in the Lagos studios of Dotun Okubajo from 1969 to 1970.

Shortly after, he joined the newly established Western Nigerian Television as trainee cameramen and started on a career path that would lead him to being one of Africa’s most prolific filmmakers. Trained in the art and technique of filmmaking at the London International Film School, TK has been involved in various movie productions as the cinematographer/director such as: Ireke onibudo, Efunsetan, Vigilanter, Iya ni wura, Ogun Ajaye, Mosebolatan, kannakanna, Eri okan, Ti oluwa nile, Ayo ni mo fe, koseegbe, Oleku, A place called home, The White handkerchief, Twins of the rain forest, Saworoide, Thunderbolt, A barber's wisdom, Agogoeewo, The Campus queen, The Narrow path, Abeni and Arugba. He also does newsreel, shorts and documentary work for BBC world service and other international news organizations in Nigeria and Africa, including, the M-Net New Directions initiative as cinematographer, director and producer.